"Matthew Jurotich" wrote in message .. .
There is a co-ordination exercise called Dutch Roll. The idea is to rapidly
roll the plane from zero to +nn degress to -nn degrees without stoping at
zero then back to zero while keeping the nose fixed at a point on the
horizon. When doing this correctly are the rudder and ailerons co-ordinated
or opposite? Why?

Matthew
I think this one has been debated for as long as I have been flying
(1950's) I was taught a "Dutch Roll" in a Piper J-3 by an instructor
with 6 digits in his license number. Put nose on a point, add aileron
and use rudder to hold the nose on point. When you reach the maximum
of rudder vs aileron and still hold the point, ease out one or other
until you reach level coordinated flight, then repeat to the opposite
side. Altitude hold is of course required.
Anyone who thinks this does not require coordination is not paying
attention. I have taught this to a myriad of pilots over the course of
my aviation career. Nearly any taildragger pilot uses the technique
either conciously or otherwise while making a landing.
Some have labeled it a forward slip and pooh poo its use for cross
wind landings
and prefer the crab type approach with a "kick out" at touchdown.
Damned if I can see how that can be done with consistency regardless
of aircraft. It has never worked for me in spite of thousands of hours
trying it. Note: thousands of hours in a log book do not mean jack
@#*& if its all flying straight and level on autopilot and at
altitude. My experience has been in the lowest reaches of the airspace
system for the most part and at about 3'agl.
I will contend the "Dutch Roll", use of aileron vs rudder to prevent a
turn, is the most valuable coordination exercise ever developed to
train and hone a pilot in the use of each.
Each time I get into a different airplane, I will try the dutch roll
to see how the aircraft is rigged and see what the limits of the
aileron/rudder are for that particular aircraft. When it comes time
for a cross wind landing in that airplane I'm not faced with any
surprises or lack of control on one axis.
Ah what the hell do I know after 12,000 hours crop dusting.....
Ol Shy & Bashful